For a time, host and radio personality Carson Daly was touted as the next Dick Clark – an impressive comparison, and certainly one grounded in the fact that Daly’s long-running MTV record-request show Total Request Live was modeled closely after Clark’s American Bandstand.

And although New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly competed against Dick Clark’sNew Year’s Rockin’ Eve for nine years, Clark was both a mentor and friend to Daly. In response to Clark’s passing today at the age of 82, Daly released a statement to EW, in remembrance of the broadcasting legend.

Read the full statement below.

“We lost an icon today. I will always cherish the personal time we had together. I am forever indebted to Dick Clark and his legacy. My heart goes out to his family.”